Belay's Fact Sheet

BBS Nick: Buzz

Full name: Brian Usher

Date of birth: 16th November 1946

Number of years in RC: 45

Number of years in RC helicopters: 1.5

List currently flying helicopters:

• Piccolo
• Eco 8
• Raptor 30

My all time favorite helicopter I own(ed): ECO 8
Why? : The ECO 8 is a mid size helicopter capable of being kept in the car, it's quiet so able to be flown where the Raptor can't because of noise and it's big enough to cope with light winds (with me piloting) which the Piccolo can't. For me this makes the ECO ideal for grabbing every opportunity I can get to fly.

My biggest dream in RC: I would like to be able to fly a model helicopter extremely well, not necessarily 3D type flying, because I believe that type of flying, although very skilful, is not the way helicopters were meant to be flown.

My biggest dream in life: Well here's a tricky one.. Both my children are grown up with their own families now and all their children are doing well too, so that's one of my goals in life already realised. I'm now married to my second wife Jenny and she's everything a person could want. So happiness is not a problem. My health could possibly be a little better, but for 56 years old, I can't complain. I have a job which I enjoy very much, the pay could be a bit better but then that goes for any job I suppose. My original lifes dream was realised some 5 years ago when I learned to fly full-size fixed wing, so I now have the Private Pilots Licence I always wanted. So what's left...a lottery win...World Peace...a time machine perhaps. I guess I'm just pretty content with my current lot in life.

The thing I like most about RC: Again a mixture. I have always liked designing model aircraft, a thing I've done since about the age of 10. Most models I have designed I have also built and can honestly say I've never had a disaster. Gliders, rubber power, freeflight power, control line, radio control all the way from the single channel ED Boomerang outfit to the JR X3810 ADT that I have today. I think it's safe to say I've had a go at most all aspects of aeromodelling. I like the building when I get time, I like the flying when the weathers kind. I've also raced model cars on and off for about 20 years and built a few RC boats too, so my modelling isn't restricted to flying models.

Remarks: I like to think I'm the type of person that will help anyone if I get chance. Most of my advice comes from personal experience, although I have quite a thorough technical grounding through formal higher education . New people starting our hobby don't need the technical manuals shoving down their throats, they need the sort of help that comes from those who have done it before, those who know just what the newcomer is feeling and more than anything they need encouragement. It is often enough to know that they are not on their own.....belonging to some collective body is a big start and I can say with my hand on my heart, “I am proud to be a member of the newly formed IAF”.